Fill and lint removal system in a combination washer-drier



April 2, 1963 P. s. DECATUR 3,033,557

FILL AND LINT REMOVAL SYSTEM IN A COMBINATION WASHER-DRIER Filed April 19, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 cigent' April 2, 1963 P. s. DECATUR ,0

F ILL AND LINT REMOVAL SYSTEM IN A COMBINATION WASHER-DRIER Filed April 19, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 w fiiim g I (bem- Fats-enter! Apr. 2, 1%53 3,983,557 FILL AND LFNT REMQVAL SYSTEM IN A CGMBENATIGN WASEEERQBRIER Paul S. Decatur, Grinneli, Eowa, assignor to The Maytag Company, Newton, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 19, 1961, Ser. No. 184,984 5 Claims. (ill. 68-446) The invention relates to a combination clothes washing and drying unit and has reference in particular to a new and improved distribution system for supplying water to the tub at different locations on the cylindrical wall thereof.

The improvements of the invention have application to the vent type of washer-drier unit wherein an approximately semi-circular air flow passage is provided between the back Walls of the unit, and which passage conducts the air withdrawn from the washing and drying chamber to the exhaust opening. The air flow passage is located within the tub, and the same is formed by duct work such as may include the cylindrical wall of the tub. During the drying operation moisture laden warm air is Withdrawn from the drying chamber and caused to flow through the air flow passage on its way to the exhaust opening. By wetting and maintaining the walls of the air flow passage in a wet condition it is possible to extract and collect particles of lint and the like such as may be entrained with the air.

The need for a water distribution system in a washerdrier unit accordingly arises from the fact that water is supplied to the tub, not only for the rinsing and washing operations, but also for lint collection and removal, and for suds suppression.

An object of the invention is to provide a water distribution system for a washer-drier unit which will make possible the use of a single outlet on the water valve.

Another object is to provide a water distribution system having two or more distributing conduits for discharging the water at different locations on the tub, and wherein by locating one discharge higher than the other, it is possible to deliver water in a selective manner to the lower discharge only.

With these and various other objects in view, the invention may consist :of certain novel features of construction and operation, as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawings and claims appended hereto.

In the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the device and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts- FIGURE 1 is a side elev-ational view of a washer-drier unit which incorporates the improvements :of the invention and wherein certain walls of the unit have been broken away to show the interior elements; and

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 and showing the air flow passage for the tub in combination with the water distribution system of the invention.

For illustrating the invention a combination washerdrier has been selected of the type having an arcuate air flow passage connecting the air circulating fan with the exhaust opening of the unit. In FIG. 2 the substantially flat surfaced base mounted on legs 11 has a pair of channel members such as 12 welded or otherwise secured in spaced relation thereto to form two major supports for the tub and for the enclosed clothes drum rotatably supported by the tub. The apex of each channel member mounts a pivot pin 14- and which is journalled by means of the tubular bearing sleeve 15. Accordingly the structure provides a pivotal support for the tub brackets 16, the

said brackets being welded or fixed in any suitable manner to the tub which is generally designated by the numeral 18. The pivoting of the tub on the channel members 12 by means of the pivot pins 14 permits the tub to oscillate back and forth in an arcuate movement in response to various forces generated within the tub during operations of the washer-drier unit.

The tub 18 is maintained in an upright position on the pivot pins 14 by the two centering springs 20 connected between the tub 18 and the base 10- by means of anchor brackets such as 21. Also, means may be. provided in the form of a damper pad and a damper leaf spring, not shown, for absorbing and dissipating the energy imparted to the tub. For a better understanding of this structure and for a more complete description of a vent type washerdrier unit, reference is made to the copending application of Arthur D Sexton, Serial No. 84,159, filed January 23, 1961, and entitled Gas-Fired Combination Washer- Drier.

The tub 18 includes a generally cylindrical side wall 22, a pair of spaced rear walls 24 and 25, and a front Wall, not shown, at the front end of the tub which includes an opening by means of which the clothes are deposited in the rotating clothes drum 26 of the unit. The tub 18 is enclosed within the substantially rectangular cabinet generally designated by the numeral 27 and having a rear wall 28. The front Wall of the cabinet is also provided with an opening in alignment with the opening in the tub, and said opening is closed by the conventional door having a glass window.

The rear Wall 24 and the front Wall of the tub are respectively connected to the cylindrical wall 22 by means of an encompassing flanged loop-like member 3%. The intermediate wall 25 is suitably welded to the cylindrical side wall 22, and it will be understood that the spaced walls 24 and 25 support the bearing assembly which journals the drive shaft 31, FIGURE 2. Said shaft extends rearwardly of wall 24 and also forwardly of wall 25. The rear extending portion of the drive shaft 31 has the drive pulley 32 fixed thereto and the endless belt 33 passes around the'pulley for rotating the same and the shaft. The forwardly extending end of the drive shaft has the perforated clothes drum 26 suitably fixed thereto and accordingly the drum is adapted to rotate within the tumbler chamber of the tub. For the illustrated embodiment, transmission mechanism of the solenoid operated type is provided, and which when energized produces rotation of the drum at a speed of approximately three hundred revolutions per minute. When deenergized the clothes drum is caused to revolve at a speed of approximately fifty revolutions per minute.

The tub 18 is formed to provide a lower recessed portion 34 which forms a sump for the tub, the same communicating with the drain pump 35. The drain pump is driven by the same electric motor which rotates the clothes drum 26, and for this purpose the pulley 37 and endless belt 38 are provided. It is necessary to provide a valve, not shown, for the drain pump 35 in order to retain the Water within the tub during the washing and rinsing operations of the combination unit.

It will be observed that the sump 34 is positioned between the intermediate wall 25 and the front wall of the tub. Accordingly a drain aperture id is provided in wall 25 to enable the liquids from the air flow passage to pass into the tumbler chamber of the unit for eventual discharge by the drain pump 35. A flapper type of check valve such as .-1 may be associated with the aperture 40 for the purpose of preventing back flow of suds, soapy water and the like from the tumbler chamber into the air flow passage. The valve member 41 has opening movement in a direction towards the tumbler chamber so that any liquids accumulating in the air flow passage will be able to how into the tumbler chamber for discharge as described.

Mounted on the back wall 23 of the cabinet 27 is a gas burnerassembly: having a part 43 projecting through an opening. 44 in. the cylindrical wall 22', the said burner extending. through said opening and into the combustion chamber designated inl its entirety by numeral 45. Said chamber has. the general configuration of a rectangular boxwith top. and bottom. walls 46 and 47, and with open ends as shown. The battle 51 located at the right hand end deflects. the flame from the tub wall in the event it should. traverse the length of the chamber, A conduit :52 mounted on. the tub 18 conducts the heatedair from the combustion chamber-45 to therotatable clothes drum 26'. The path of air. How in the combination unit as herein disclosed is from. the atmosphere through, opening 44 in the tubwall'22", to the combustion chamber 45, through the conduit'52, and into the perforated clothesdrum 26. After traversing and contacting the clothes the dium 26, the airis removedthrough an opening 53 inthe intermediate wall 25 and the air is then forced through the air flow passage 54 formed by duct work including the cylindrical wall 22, the spaced walls 24'and 25, and the top arcuate wall 55. From the air flow passage the air is discharged through the exhaust opening 56 located in the rear wall 24. As best shown in FIGURE 1, telescoping pipe structure 51 may be associated with exhaust opening 56 for conductingthe warm air from the drying chamber to the atmosphere. I

The opening 53 in wall'25 has associated therewith an. air circulating fan 60 of the impeller type. The fan is located within the air flow pipe 54 and the wall 55 of the duct work is extended to forma housing for the impeller.. Accordingly the housing is produced by cooperation of the rearwalls 24, 25 and by the iinperforate scroll shaped side wall 61. The impeller housing connecting with the duct work provides a' passage fromthe impellet 60to the outlet 56'. The scroll-shaped housing 61, and the duct work, including, wall '55,.bridges the space between the rear walls 24 and 25. Since the outer wall 22 of'the duct work is circular, wall 55 is also circular,

being substantially concentric thereto and thus. the passage 54 is approximately.semi-circular, having an entrance opening for the air stream at 53 on one side of the drive shaft 31, whereas the outlet opening 56 for the air now passage is'located on the opposite side of the drive shaft. The fan 60 is suitably driven by the same 'motor which drives the clothes drum 26.

The tub 18 according tothe invention will be supplied with water for the various operations by means of two or m'oreflexible conduits such as.64 and 65 which deliver the water to vdifierentlocations onthe tub, and which are "at difierent elevations. The hotland cold'water supply cylindrical wall 22 by the bracket 75, and the said hose delivers to the cup 7 6 which is in alignment with the air flow passage 54 and relatively adjacent the exhaust opening 56 The water from the cup 76 enters the air flow passage to thus maintain the Walls at this end of the passage in a wet condition for lint extraction purposes during the drying operation. Flow of water to the tub isaccordingly divided by the Y connection'71 with a major portion approximately two-thirds being delivered by hose 64 to the tumbler chamber at the relatively high elevation of the discharge end of hose 74 during the'washing operation only. Most of'this water from hose 74 is directed against the blades of the fan.60.. The hose 65 delivers a smaller quantity of water, approximately one thirdg to the air flow passage 54it'o flush or wash down the thereof inthe vicinity of the exhaust opening 56 during the washing operation only. This water inlet to the tub is at a lower level than thedischarge from hose 7 4. i

For the washing and ringing operations. the solenoid valve 68 will admit water under suflicieht pressure from both inlets to fill. the-.machine in. the proportions asfstated in accordance with thede'si gn of the co'nne'ctior'i' 71. It will be understood: that the Water collecting'in the flow passage will flow into the tumbler chamberthrbi lg'h opening 40. This openin'g isclosed by a flapperjtypeivalve 41 but-which has opening movementwithin the tumbler chamber to permit flow in this direction; ,Wheii th valve is closed its prevents flow ofsoapywater' suds' and the like into the air flow passage;

Since the solenoid valve 68 is capable of controlling the pressure of the water deliveredto'thei'outlet 70,. and since the water inlets are located on'fthe tub atdifferent elevations, it is possible to cutofii"flow in. the hose 64 'while' continuing with'thefdelivery'of water, alth'ofigh at aireducedflow, the hose 65 Thisreducedfflow in-ho'se 65is efiected during the dryingoperjatijon only. to effective; ly'wetthe wall ZZ'of th'eair'flow passage'to extract lint; largelyv centrifngally propelled. against" said wett'ed wall, from the air stream before said airstreamjleavesthe'unit,

The invention is not to. be limitedto or by details oi constnuction ofthef particular embodiment the" "f tratedby. the drawings, as various otherforrn device will, of course; be" apparent 'to those? 7 the art withoutdeparting from theispirito'f th'einve'rl. tion or the scope of the'clair'ns.

What is claimed is:

-1. In laundry apparatus, the combinationincludinga substantially cylindrical tub providing a' washingand drying chamber, aclothes receptaclerotatablymounted conduits 66 and 67 connect with a control valve-'68. of V the, solenoid actuated type. The said valve will function to. mix thehot and cold water before delivering the same to the single outlet 70. It is also possible by means of :said valve to regulate the pressure. of the water delivered :to the single outlet 70, and this pressure control is utilized .to, deliver water to the tub at selectivetlocations.

Accordingly, the Y connection 71'on the conduit 70 t'isj oinedto the flexible hoses. 64 and 65. The hose 64' at its discharge end is-connected to the tub at an elevated location as at 72.. The water is delivered to the cup 73, and by means of the hose 74 which enters the tumbler chamber'the water is discharged against the blades of the impeller type fan 60. This water'upon discharging on anon-vertical axis and locatedlwithin the chamber, an air circulating fan communicating with the chamber; an exhaust opening for thetub, duct: work'located ex teriorly of chamber and connecting the'pressure side of the man with; the exhaustfopening whereby an-airflbw i passage is provided, water'supply meansineludingafirst inlet connection having a location on the tub foide'livering water to the washing and drying 1 hambennea second inlet'connection having'a location on the tub for delivering water to' the air flow passage, said second inlet connection having a location which is below-the first inlet connection, aliquid mixing and pressure regulating valveg and fiexibleconduits respectively connecting the'said'valve with the first and second inlet connections, said valve against the rotating blades of the impeller 60 is broken 7 up into relatively fine moistureparticles. This spray and mist asproduced by the fan 60 during the washing operation Willmaintain the inside surfaces of the walls 22, 24 and 25 of the air flow passage, in the vicinity of the fan, in a washed condition, that is, free of lint and soap accumulations deposited during a previous cycle of operation.

' The flexible hose 65 has its discharge end fixed to the being disposed'relative to said'second inlet connection wherebya predetermined reduction -in'total new from" said valve is effective to prevent flow"froni said'first inlet connection.

2. Laundry apparatusas defined'by claim 1 wherein the liq-uidmixing and pressure regulating valve" delivers to I a single'outlet, and a'Y connection joining the single out let to'the flexible conduits, respectively, said Y-connec-. tion being constructed and disposed to'divertapredeter- V minedportion of the flow from said single outlet to each of said conduits 3. In a-machine for washing and drying fabrics diiring washing and drying operations,a generally cylindrical tub including a cylindrical shell, a front wall and spaced inner and outer rear walls, whereby said tub provides a tumbier chamber between the front wall and the inner rear wall, and provides a back chamber between the said rear walls, a rotatable perforate drum positioned in the tumbier chamber for receiving and tumbling fabrics during the washing and drying operations, an impeller located between the spaced rear walls and communicating with the tumbler chamber through an opening in the inner rear well, an exhaust conduit connecting with the back chamber through an opening in the outer rear wall, duct work including said spaced rear walls and the cylindrical shell of the tub md which provides an air flow passage connecting the pressure side of the impeller with the exhaust opening, a liquid mixing and pressure regulating valve, a first inlet connection on the tub for delivering water to the tumbler chambe a second inlet connection on the tub for delivering water to the air flow passage in the vicinity of the exhaust opening, and flexible conduits connecting the said valve with the first and second inlet connections respectively, said inlet connections having locations on the tub at difierent elevations and said valve being disposed below said inlet connections whereby a predetermined flow from said valve is elfective to prevent flow from one of said inlet connections.

4. Laundry apparatus as defined by claim 3, wherein the second inlet connection is located below the first inlet connection, wherein said liquid mixing and pressure regulating valve delivers to a single outlet, and additionally including a Y connection joining the said outlet to the flexible conduits, respectively.

5. In laundry apparatus, the combination including a substantially cylindrical tub having a Washing and drying chamber, a clothes receptacle rotatably mounted on a non-vertical axis and located within the chamber, an air circulating fan communicating with the chamber, an exhaust opening spaced from said chamber and said fan, duct work located exteriorly of the chamber and connecting the pressure side of the fan with the exhaust opening whereby an air flow passage is provided, and water supply means including a first inlet connection for delivering water to the washing and drying chamber, and a second inlet connection for delivering water to the air flow passage, said second inlet connection having a location which is below the first inlet connection and said water supply means being constructed and disposed to proportion flow to said first and second inlet connections and further including pressure regulating means for reducing the water pressure to a predetermined degree whereby flow can be terminated at the first inlet connection with flow being continued at the second inlet connection at said reduced pressure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 886,168 Adams Apr. 28, 1908 2,607,209 Constantine Aug. 19, 1952 2,892,335 Gray .a June 30, 1959 2,975,623 Eichhorn Mar. 21, 1961 

1. IN LAUNDRY APPARATUS, THE COMBINATION INCLUDING A SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL TUB PROVIDING A WASHING AND DRYING CHAMBER, A CLOTHES RECEPTACLE ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON A NON-VERTICAL AXIS AND LOCATED WITHIN THE CHAMBER, AN AIR CIRCULATING FAN COMMUNICATING WITH THE CHAMBER, AN EXHAUST OPENING FOR THE TUB, DUCT WORK LOCATED EXTERIORLY OF CHAMBER AND CONNECTING THE PRESSURE SIDE OF THE MAN WITH THE EXHAUST OPENING WHEREBY AN AIR FLOW PASSAGE IS PROVIDED, WATER SUPPLY MEANS INCLUDING A FIRST INLET CONNECTION HAVING A LOCATION ON THE TUB FOR DELIVERING WATER TO THE WASHING AND DRYING CHAMBER AND A SECOND INLET CONNECTION HAVING A LOCATION ON THE TUB FOR DELIVERING WATER TO THE AIR FLOW PASSAGE, SAID SECOND INLET CONNECTION HAVING A LOCATION WHICH IS BELOW THE FIRST INLET CONNECTION, A LIQUID MIXING AND PRESSURE REGULATING VALVE, AND FLEXIBLE CONDUITS RESPECTIVELY CONNECTING THE SAID VALVE WITH THE FIRST AND SECOND INLET CONNECTIONS, SAID VALVE BEING DISPOSED RELATIVE TO SAID SECOND INLET CONNECTION WHEREBY A PREDETERMINED REDUCTION IN TOTAL FLOW FROM SAID VALVE IS EFFECTIVE TO PREVENT FLOW FROM SAID FIRST INLET CONNECTION. 